Only in Hudson County! Free books declared to be the same thing as a hole in the ground!

A common query at Jersey City Free Books – generally posed in an accusatory tone – is “What does the City give you to do this?” As Municipal support has been noted only by its absence, this is always good for a laugh. But that’s a lot better than what the County is giving us now: a hard time.

Last Thursday, Jersey City Free Books received a visit from someone identifying himself as an employee of Hudson County Engineering. He informed us that Project Coordinator Jack Dempsey declared that giving away books on the corner of Kennedy and Griffith must stop. The explanation was that a drunk might walk into a table of books and so sustain injuries. Also, the civil rights of pedestrians were violated by forcing them to encounter books. He added that these grave problems might be made to go away by the purchase of a permit – the same one required for contractors excavating a sidewalk.

Is it right that free books should be treated like digging a hole?

Update!

With the help of Ward D Councilman Michael Yun, the issue appears to be resolved!. Weather permitting, the books again will be on the corner of Kennedy Blvd and Griffith during the times listed at the Main Page of the Web Site.

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Jersey City Free Books at 297 Griffith St. is a community book store that provides something to read without charge, obligation, registration or indoctrination.

Everyone is welcome to take any number of books for their reasonable, personal use. Jersey City Free Books is eager to assist local charities by providing quantities of books. More information — including the current schedule — is available at the Web Site.http://JerseyCityFreeBooks.com

Published by

Anthony Olszewski

Anthony Olszewski has written on a wide variety of topics: cage birds, tropical fish, popular culture, the poetry of Amiri Baraka and a chapter on genetics for a veterinary text book, as a small sample. He worked as an editor at a magazine produced by TFH, the world's largest publisher of pet books. Anthony Olszewski is the author of a booklet on Hudson County history, Hudson County Facts, and a book of short stories, Second Thief, Best Thief, that are sold on Amazon.
Anthony Olszewski established PETCRAFT.com in 1996. A pioneer on the Web, the Site continues to provide unique information on a range of companion animals, focusing on birds and fish.
As a community service, he operates Jersey City Free Books.
Anthony Olszewski was born in Jersey City, NJ (Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital, 1956) and is a member of Mensa.
View all posts by Anthony Olszewski

2 thoughts on “Only in Hudson County! Free books declared to be the same thing as a hole in the ground!”

Free Books is a gift to Jersey City and Hudson County. As a friend of mine recently said, “Any civilized city has a free bookstore.” Thanks, Anthony, for hosting something so inspiring and edifying. I love bringing out-of-town visitors to two “must sees” in JC: Liberty State Park and Free Books. Long live free open space and Free Books!

It is outrageous that the city wants to give Anthony and free books a problem. It just shows the mentality of the city where money trumps all. It’s disgusting that free books is doing a community service that has been appreciated by all who stop by and yet the city tells him to stop! Ridiculous. Leave Anthony and free books alone unless it’s to congratulate him on great work or to donate to the cause.